I have come around from once holding the viewpoint that "drugs are bad, mmkay" to thinking that "marijuana is a fine thing for responsible adults to do for recreation every once in a while," to now believing that "marijuana is very good for you and is a psychological and spiritual medicine which I should consume frequently." I hold that belief not as a justification but as a reasoned and principled stance. However, I have decided that since I want to contend that marijuana is good for me, I should use it like medicine: responsibly, safely and for the most part, not particularly recreationally. When used in a positive way, marijuana has improved my emotional stability and mental health. It increases my creativity, insight, understanding, and productivity. This summer I lost nearly 25 pounds, in large part due to weed's ability to make long gym-sessions bearable and interesting. Weed also increased my sensitivity to the needs of my own body, and allowed me to listen more deeply while exercising to perfect my form, pacing, and so on. Weed has helped me clean my room on many occasions. I have decided that, since I want to take the viewpoint that weed use is positive and not irresponsible, I cannot (both in terms of the PR for that stance, and for my own personal not-being-a-hypocrite) allow marijuana to be tied up with other irresponsible behaviors and habits. I have decided to stop drinking almost entirely, and never to drink while high. I have decided to stop ingesting poisons like tobacco, again, particularly in conjunction with the sacred medicine. This, unfortunately, means no spliffs or blunts. I have realized that overuse of marijuana can, in some dimensions, be harmful. I realized that I spend so much time high that (even though there is nothing wrong with being in that state) I don't give myself time to integrate the thoughts and ideas of that state into my normal life / everyday waking consciousness. For that reason, I have decided (for a period at least) not to smoke more than once every few days. For one thing, this proves to myself that I am not dependent. Even though I have not been smoking, the last several days have been rewarding, interesting and fun: weed is a complement to the good life, not a prerequisite. Also, when I abstain from smoking I am able to dream. I believe dreams are important for the psyche and I have recently been reading about dream-work in different spiritual traditions. Dreams are one thing I miss when I am smoking constantly, and it is nice to have them back. I don't know the point of this post, but just thought I would share my thoughts. Comments welcome.
i agree with your 2nd viewpoint "marijuana is a fine thing for responsible adults to do for recreation every once in a while." i don't really think that cannabis is all that beneficial, but maybe that's because of the way i (over) use it.
I often struggle with my views on my marijuana use. I don't really have trouble stopping when I want to, and it doesn't really get in the way of anything more productive, but I can't help but feel guilty about my smoking sometimes. Maybe if it were legal and more socially accepted I'd feel differently. I'm not really sure.
This is something that I've realized recently about my own life-- almost all of my time with others in the past has been involving being stoned and doing nothing. I'm in school now and trying to branch out-- explore and develop my interests and even some non-interests. There's nothing inherently wrong with smoking weed, but sometimes it can get to the point where one doesn't do much else. That's the problem. Balance and moderation is best.
That's a great account of a stoner's journey, from cynicism to celebration, and shows how weed works beneficially for you. Anyone who challenges you over your marijuana use should be shown that; for me, reading it reminded me of my changing views over the years.
